Disconnect Switch: Learn the Purpose, Cost, and Lead Time to Procure

By / May 30, 2020 / 2 minutes of reading
Disconnect switch
Disconnect switch
Table Of Contents

Purpose of disconnect switch

  • Disconnect switches establish isolation points to enable equipment maintenance. They are installed on both sides of the circuit breaker, high-side of the transformer, and on the line exit.
Location of disconnect switches inside a substation
Location of disconnect switches inside a substation
  • Switches cannot and should not be used to interrupt load current or fault current. A switch operation takes place after the circuit is de-energized.
Disconnect Switch: Learn the Purpose, Cost, and Lead Time to Procure 1
Arcing shown here occurs during to capacitive charging current from long lines. When the switch is on a transformer, arcing occurs due to the magnetizing current.

Cost of disconnect switch

A switch can be designed in numerous ways – vertical break, center break, side break, double side break, pantograph, etc. View some of them here. The prices below reflect your typical vertical break configuration.

  • 15kV 600A/1200A disconnect switch with manual operator: ~$7,000
  • 35kV 1200A disconnect switch with manual operator: ~$7,000
  • 69kV 1200A disconnect switch with manual operator: ~$14,000
  • 138kV 2000A disconnect switch with motor operator: ~$20,000
  • 230kV 3000A disconnect switch with motor operator: ~$33,000
  • 345kV 3000A disconnect switch with motor operator: ~$66,000
  • 500kV 3000A disconnect switch with motor operator: ~$102,000
  • 765kV 3000A disconnect switch with motor operator: ~$150,000

Note: The cost includes the price of structural steel. For 138kV and above, the price of steel for high switch stand used (for conservative figures).

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Lead time to procure disconnect switch

~22 weeks for a high voltage switch.

Information on cost and lead time is for your general knowledge only. Contact vendor with your equipment specifications for actual figures.

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Disconnect Switch: Learn the Purpose, Cost, and Lead Time to Procure 2

Substation Major Equipment

It’s only stupid-simple, let’s begin.

You are building an interconnect station, tying wind farm generation to the power grid. At the substation, the sources are tied through a tie-breaker. Which device would you install to make sure the sources are synchronized?
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A transformer develops an internal fault. Which device would you install on the transformer high-side to interrupt fault current?
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What’s the purpose of a conventional power transformer?
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For which event should a surge arrester operate? Check all that apply.
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In a distribution substation, the available ground-fault current on the low side of the step-down transformer is excessive, over-dutying the switching equipment. What is your cost-effective solution to reducing the fault current?
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Which combination of devices would you use to implement power line carrier?
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An industrial facility is plagued with voltage flicker (due to harmonics) and poor power factor at the service entrance. Which device would you install to fix both issues?
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The average score is 41%

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2 thoughts on “Disconnect Switch: Learn the Purpose, Cost, and Lead Time to Procure”

  1. +Doug Willoughby

    I am having strong RFI from a local power company in Mesa, Arizona (SRP) and they think that it may be due to the Disconnect Switches they are using. Is that typical for these products since they operate at very high voltages? I am a Ham Operator and am receiving considerable RFI on the 3.5-7.5 mhz frequency bands. Any suggestions on how I might be able to prevent that from getting into my antenna system? Their Substation is about 1/2 block from my location.

    Regards,
    Doug Willoughby, K7GJX

    Reply
    1. Anonymous

      Corona discharge from EHV conductors can cause radio interference. What voltage is the substation? Substation design standards require corona mitigation at extra high voltages (345kV and above).
      Corona discharge is absolutely possible during EHV switch operation. But switch operation happens occasionally. So, if it’s a consistent interference then it’s something else.

      Reply

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